I always prided myself on having a good relationship with my boss. We got along well, had mutual respect, and worked together smoothly. That is… until one conversation changed everything.
It was a normal Friday afternoon. I was wrapping up work when he casually said, “Hey, quick question — would you be willing to babysit my daughter tonight?”
I laughed at first, thinking he was joking.
He wasn’t.
“I know it’s last minute,” he continued, “but my wife is out of town and our usual sitter canceled. You’re around kids all the time, right? It’d just be for a couple of hours.”
I was stunned.
Not only was this completely outside the scope of my job, but I had no prior indication that we were close enough for him to ask me something like this — especially not without offering any payment.
Still trying to stay professional, I said, “Oh, I don’t think that’s something I can do…”
Before I could finish, he interrupted with:
“Come on, it’s not like you have anything better to do tonight.”
That hit hard.
I didn’t respond right away. I just looked at him — shocked, hurt, and suddenly seeing him in a whole new light.
The next day, I handed in my resignation.
When he asked why, I told him the truth:
“Because you stopped seeing me as an employee — and started treating me like help.”
After that moment, things got worse. He tried to backtrack, saying he was “just kidding” and that I was overreacting. But the damage was done.
I wasn’t angry because he asked me to babysit — I was furious because of how easily he assumed I existed to serve him outside of work. That my value to him went no further than being available when he needed something.
And worst of all — he didn’t even realize how offensive it was.
After I left the company, I posted about the experience anonymously online — expecting maybe a few people to relate.
What I got was thousands of comments from women who had been in similar situations.
“They see us as assistants, housekeepers, or nannies before they see us as professionals.”
“This happens more than you think.”
“You did the right thing walking away.”
Some even shared stories of bosses asking them to pick up dry cleaning, cook meals, or clean their homes — all under the guise of “friendly favors.”
What happened to me wasn’t just about babysitting. It was about boundaries. About respect. About knowing your worth — and refusing to let someone else decide what that is.
Now, I work somewhere new. A place where my skills are valued, and my time isn’t taken for granted.
And I’ve never felt more free.